Page 2 of Claimed
“He’s down at the station, but they have nothing. I won’t be surprised if he’s back here by this afternoon.”
Thank God. I need him. I need him here to hold me, to make me feel safe.Oh, God. What if this guy comes back for me?Panic grips me. Tears stream down my cheeks as I begin to hyperventilate.
“It’s okay, Raven. You’ll be fine. I’m here, and I’ll have two guys posted outside at all times. You’re safe.”
No, I’m not. I won’t be until Gage gets here.
***Gage***
Renley tosses a Ziploc-encased object on the table. My stomach roils. It’s a dildo. It’sthedildo. The one that violated my girl. The thing has to be at least ten inches long and four inches wide. Her blood is still on it. I turn away and clench my fists on the table. I promised I’d never let anyone hurt her, and I failed. I wasn’t there.
“What’s the matter, Hunter? Can’t get it up?” Renley sneers.
My lawyer told me not to say anything until he gets here, but fuck that. “Fuck you. This wasnotme.”
“Yeah, well, excuse me if I don’t believe you.” He takes the seat opposite me and his deputy leans on the wall in the corner. “I couldn’t get you for Janet Presley, but your ass is mine this time.”
“Sorry, but I don’t swing that way. Your deputy looks like he does, though.”
Deputy Michaels grinds his teeth together but keeps his distance.
“Don’t worry, Michaels. I’m sure he’ll be very popular with the inmates up in State.”
“You have nothing on me and you know it. That’s why I’m still sitting here.”
“You were both seen riding around together in the morning –”
“That’s not illegal.”
“No, but rape is. Never knew you liked them so young, Hunter.”
Motherfucker. “Her doctors will tell you she was a virgin before she was attacked. I never touched her.”
“And that’s why you raped her. Because she wouldn’tletyou touch her.”
“I didnotrape her,” I state vehemently.
“There was no forced entry. She let her attacker in. She letyouin.”
“She was excited about her birthday party. She could have left the door open.”
He leans forward and stabs the desk with his index finger. “We have a witness who saw you leaving her house right before the ambulance arrived.”
“Bullshit. I was nowhere near there and I can prove it.”
“Let me guess. One of your guys can vouch for you.”
“I have dozens of people who can vouch for me, but I don’t need them.” This is one of those times I’m thankful for surveillance cameras, and also for the fact that Tek is a paranoid son of a bitch who puts them everywhere. “I’ve got video footage documenting practically my entire day.”
Renley clenches his jaw. “How do we know it hasn’t been doctored?”
“My guys only watch live feeds. I’m the only one who has access to the recordings. Bring me my phone and I’ll show you right now.”
I can practically hear his teeth grinding against each other. He sees his whole case blowing up before his eyes. He jerks his head toward Michaels and the other man leaves the room. Leaning back in the chair, I observe him. Usually, I’d love to throw his failure in his face, but I just need to get out of here and back to Raven. She needs me.
Michaels returns and I quickly tap into my security system. I show them the Kitty, making sure I point out the timestamps of my arrival and departure. Same thing for Scythe.
“My sister Ellen, and I’m sure anyone who saw them, can tell you she picked Raven up at the salon and took her home.”
